Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guide for St. John's in Newfoundland - Newfoundland Purple Travel Guide
St. John's is one of the highlights of every Newfoundland tour. We provide detailed information and a self-guided tour with the best things to see and we show lots of photos so you know what you can expect.
St. John's is the capital, largest city of Newfoundland, and the easternmost city of North America. It is located on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland.
With its metropolitan population of approx. 212,579, St. John's is also one of the oldest cities in North America, even though it was only incorporated in 1888.
What is now St. John's, had seasonal European occupants since the early 1500s, but the British crown did not allow permanent settlements in this part of the world at that time. So, the first permanent settlement was only established sometime after 1630.
Due to its long history, St. John's has a mix of historic and modern buildings. Its downtown area is popular for its colorful rowhomes and George Street is the center of St. John's nightlife, while Water Street is its food, shopping, and entertainment street.
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Where to stay in St. John’s
St. John’s is the largest city in Newfoundland and it has a good selection of hotels and Airbnbs.
Unlike in most other cities in Canada and the US, hotels in St. John’s are pet friendly. As most hotels allow pets, you may get a room with more or less pet odor. Some hotels allow pets only on certain floors, while others allow pets in every room. We talked to housekeeping in one of the latter hotels and they told us they spray deodorizer when they detect pet odor – and that’s it.
If you can’t stand the odor, just ask the hotel to switch you to another room.
Click on the map below to see what is available:
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton St. John's Airport (price & availability)
As St. John’s is a not a big city – only a bit over 200,000 people live here – and the downtown area is walkable but has paid parking everywhere, we decided to stay near the airport.
The Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton St. John's Airport is a typical Hampton Inn. It has spacious rooms, the furniture showed very little wear and tear when we were there and there are a fridge and microwave in the room.
Breakfast is included in the room rates and the same as in other Hampton Inns.
Like most hotels in St. John’s, the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton St. John's Airport is dog friendly, so chances are that you may get a room with some pet odor. We were told that the hotel has floors that are off-limits for pets.
The hotel is only a short drive away from Walmart, other stores, and restaurants.
Self-guided tour of St. John’s – Day 1
Since you have arrived in St. John’s earlier today, we are having a light sightseeing program.
1 = Signal Hill National Historic Site
2 = Colonial Building
3 = Jellybean Row
4 = Harbourside Park
5 = Water Street
6 = George Street
Signal Hill National Historic Site
Signal Hill is a hill overlooks ‘the Narrows’, which is the only entrance to St. John’s harbor. At 548 ft (167 m), Ladies' Lookout is the highest point on Signal Hill.
Due to its strategic position, the hill was fortified beginning in the mid-17th century.
In 1762, French forces surrendered here to the British in the final battle of the Seven Years' War in North America, and in 1901, the first transatlantic wireless transmission was received here.
Cabot Tower is located at the top of Signal Hill and it can be visited for free – there is a parking lot right next to it. Inside you will find an exhibition about the first transatlantic transmission and the view from the top is gorgeous.
Next to the tower stands the Noon Day Gun, which is fired at noon, daily between July 1 and September 1.
A little down the hill, before you reach the top, is the Signal Hill Visitor Centre. It is open from early June through early October. Admission is charged to visit its interactive exhibits and a film about the site's communications military and history. Access to the site and parking are free of charge.
Starting near Cabot Tower are an easy trail that leads to Queen’s Battery Barracks and the difficult 2.1 mile (3.4 km) return North Head trail.
Now get back to your car and drive to the Colonial Building in downtown St. John’s. It is likely too late for you to visit the building, so we will do that on a later day.
You can either park in the parking lot of the Colonial Building or on Bannerman Road in front of it.
Jellybean Row
Large parts of downtown St. John’s consist of brightly colored row houses and give the city its distinctive character.
Jellybean Row is a general term which defines the colorful row houses in downtown St. John’s and not one particular street.
A good 15min walking tour to see the houses starts near the Colonial Building where Military Rd and Bannerman Rd intersect. Walk down Bannerman Rd until you get to Gower St. Then make a right and take the next right, which is Colonia St. Follow Colonia St back to Military Rd and then make a left onto Military Rd and follow the road.
Then make another left on Kings Rd and follow it all the way to Duckworth St, where it ends.
Harbourside Park
Harbourside Park is a small park near the water from which you have good views of the hills east of the city, fishing boats and the occasional cruise ship. The park has statues of the province's two signature dogs: the Newfoundland and Labrador Retriever.
From mid-June through the second half of September, the Music @ Harbourside concert series runs during lunch hour on Fridays.
Water Street
Water Street is the center of commercial activity in St. John’s with many restaurants, pubs, souvenir shops, boutiques, and other stores. Since 2020, part of the street is seasonally closed for car traffic. Water Street is a good spot to eat dinner.
George Street
George Street is the epicenter of late-night partying in St. John’s. This 2-block street connects Water Street with the St. John’s Convention Center – actually, the convention was built over part of George Street. George Street W, which is south of the convention center, used to be part of the original George Street.
George Street is a unique street as the only buildings here are bars, pubs, and restaurants.
The street is pedestrian-only, except for a few hours in the mornings when deliveries are permitted.
During much of the day, George Street is a quiet street, but it gets really busy from 11pm or midnight into the wee morning hours.
George Street is also the location of two popular festivals:
- in July/August: the George Street Festival is held here on the six nights before the first Wednesday in August, when the Royal St. John's Regatta is held. This festival draws more than 100,000 people!
- in October: people in St. John’s celebrate their version of Mardi Gras – in October!
This concludes your tour for today.
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